Water and marine resources
The energy sector uses water for production and industrial processes, as well as for hydroelectric production. A responsible energy operator must protect and safeguard this resource, considering its availability, accessibility, quality and the needs of stakeholders. It is essential to raise awareness among employees, communities and territories about the responsible use of water, recognizing it as a common good.
Actions and measures related to water and marine environments
In 2025, for every kWh of net electricity produced, 0.3 liters of water were consumed: less than a small bottle
Multiple use of water
We adopt strategic measures to address the challenges of water sustainability, with a multi-use resource management approach. In case of water scarcity, we participate in Drought Tables to support water use for health and agricultural purposes; during periods of intense inflows, we regulate hydroelectric production in coordination with local authorities and civil protection to protect territories and safeguard communities. At the same time, we are developing flexibility systems with hydroelectric pumping, integrating new plants into existing basins, such as those created by the Cassa del Mezzogiorno.
Water withdrawals, consumption, reuse, and recovery
We primarily use water for cooling machinery in thermoelectric production and other industrial processes. The most significant portion of water comes from marine sources, while the rest is freshwater, with a small percentage of treated wastewater. With Edison Next, we manage water in a circular manner for our clients, recovering and regenerating primary and wastewater. To monitor risks related to water availability in industrial processes and thermoelectric and cogeneration power generation, we annually map its facilities by overlaying them with areas of high water stress, according to the tools developed by the World Resources Institute. In 2025, 40 facilities across Italy, Poland, and Spain were assessed: 21 of these, representing 53% of the total, are located in areas of high or extremely high water stress. Thanks to the practices adopted, in line with sector best available technologies (BAT), water consumption in these areas accounts for less than 0.1% of total water withdrawal. Since 2024, the Group has been a signatory to the United Nations CEO Water Mandate, participating in 2025 in international initiatives such as Net Positive Water Impact.
Raising awareness on responsible water consumption
We promote responsible water management through awareness‑raising initiatives targeted at both employees (such as the Sustainable Sites project launched in 2021) and local communities (including participation in the public event “Seas and Oceans. Towards New Routes”, held as part of La Notte delle Idee and promoted by the French Embassy in Italy and Institut Français Italia). This commitment is further reinforced through participation in multi‑stakeholder forums aimed at encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices. In parallel, we pursue a continuous improvement approach across our operational sites.
